Panel constructions and the like



May 31, 1966 ca. STRAUS 3,253,376

May 31, 1966 G. STRAUS PANEL CONSTRUCTIONS AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 6, 1962 INVENTOR. GUS STRAUS w )Awu A HIS ATTORNEYS May 31, 1966 G. STRAUS PANEL CONSTRUCTIONS AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 6, 1962 INVENTOR. STRAUS GUS HIS ATTORNEYS United States Patent PANEL CONSTRUCTIONS AND THE LIKE Gus Straus, Richmond, Va., assignor to Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 6, 1962, Ser. No. 235,722 8 Claims. (Cl. 52512) This invention relates to improved panel constructions, such as roofing, siding and the like, and to improved parts for such panel constructions or the like.

It is well known that many forms of sheet metal panel means or the like have been provided for roofing and siding installations.

However, many problems are encountered in forming such panel constructions,

For example, expansion and contraction of the panel construction must be accommodated, rattling should be reduced or minimized, ease of assembly should be provided. adequate sealing against leakage must be assured, and undue spreading of the panel means under load, such as when ornamental .three dimensional shapes are employed, must be prevented.

It is, therefore, a feature of this invention to provide a panel construction or the like capable of satisfying the above requirements as well as having other advantages.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved panel construction having one or more of the novel features set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved part for such a panel construction or the like.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading of this description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view of one of the improved panel means of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a fastening means for the initial panel construction of this invention.

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, illustrating subsequent fastening means of this invention.

FIGURE 4 is a schematic side view illustrating the nestability of the panel means of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary, partial cross-sectional view illustrating one embodiment of the panel construction of this invention. 7

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary, top view illustrating the panel means of FIGURE 1 to be utilized in aligned relation with another panel means.-

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary, top view illustrating aligned and overlapped panel means of this invention.

FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 99 of FIGURE 8.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter described as being particularly adaptable for forming sheet metal panel constructions for roofing and siding purposes, it is to be understood that the variou features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide other constructions as desired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, an improved panel construction of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 and comprises a roofing installation or the like. However, it is to be understood that the panel construction 10 could comprise a siding or other installation, as desired.

3,253,376 Patented May 31, 1966 As illustrated in FIGURE 5, the panel construction 10 includes a plurality of rafters or trusses 11 on which are mounted a plurality of spaced and transversely disposed girts or purlins 12.

For example, each purlin 12 can have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional configuration defined by a cross member 13 and a pair of legs 14 integrally secured to the opposed ends of the cross member 13, the lower leg 14 being secured to the rafters 11 by fastening means 15 in any suitable manner,

A plurality of panel means 16 are in turn secured to the purlins 12 and are arranged in aligned overlapping relation and in interlocking and overlapping rows in a manner hereinafter described.

While the panel means 16 can be formed of any suitable material and in any suitable manner, the embodiments thereof illustrated in the drawings are formed by stamping or drawing aluminum-containing metallic sheet material or the like, such as Alclad 3004 aluminum alloy which can be embossed, painted, or both, or remain plain, as desired.

As illustrated in FIGURE 1, each panel means 16 has a pair of opposed hook-shaped end portions 17 and 18 and an inverted channel portion 19 disposed intermediate the end portions 17 and 18, the channel portion 19 being defined by an upper wall 20 and oppositely angled side walls 21 and 22.

The hook-shaped end portion 17 of each panel means 16 is integrally joined to the side wall 21 of its respective channel portion 19 by a substantially semicircular portion 23, the end portion 17 including a downwardly directed, substantially straight portion 24 and a reversely turned and upwardly directed substantially flat portion 25 having the free end 26 thereof turned upon itself for reinforcing purposes.

In this manner, it can be seen that the hook-shaped end portion 17 of each panel means 16 is disposed beneath its respective channel portion 19 and has the reversely turned portion 25 thereof directed toward the side wall 21 for a purpose hereinafter described.

In order to add strength to the upper wall 20 of the channel portion of each panel means 16, an upwardly directed channel portion 27 is provided therein and is defined by a lower Wall 28 and a pair of oppositely angled side walls 29 and 30.

The hook-shaped end portion 18 is spaced from the side wall 22 of the channel portion 19 of each panel means 16 by an intermediate, substantially flat portion 31.

To reinforce the fiat intermediate portion 31 of each panel means 16, an inverted channel portion 32 is provided therein and is defined by an upper wall 33 and oppositely angled side walls 34 and 35.

While the side wall-s 21, 22; 29, 30; and 34, 35 of the channel portions 19, 27 and 32 can be disposed at any angle relative to the horizontal, it is found that if the same are disposed at approximately 45 degrees relative to the horizontal, the resulting structure provides a relatively strong panel means 16 for the intended purpose thereof.

For example, it has been found that the angle of 45 degrees relative to the horizontal gives the greatest area of coverage for the panel means 16 per amount of strength thereof.

The end portion 18 of each panel means 16 includes an outwardly and upwardly directed looped portion 36 provided with a reversely turned substantially fiat portion 37 extending upwardly toward the side wall 22 and having a looped, hook-shaped reinforcing free end 38 for a purpose hereinafter described.

' While the panel means 16 can have any desired dimensions, it has been found that when the panel means 16 is formed of the above-mentioned aluminum-containing metallic material and has a thickness of 0.032 of an inch, the overall width thereof between the end portion 17 and 18 should be approximately 18.313 inches, with the overall length of each panel means 16 varying as desired.

When the panel means 16 is formed of the above dimensions, it has been found that no horizontal flat sec tion thereof has a Width greater than 1.382 of an inch, whereby good structural strength is provided by the panel means 16 of this invention.

One means for determining the effective overall width of the panel means 16 when placed under compression is to multiply 1.7 by the thickness of the panel means 16 by the square root of the modulus of elasticity thereof divided by the allowable stress.

However, it is to be understood that this invention is not to be limited to any particular dimensions and the above figures are merely given as one example of a workable panel means 16.

While each of the panel means 16 of this invention is provided with the afore-described configuration for ornamental as well as functional purposes, as will be apparent hereinafter, it is to be understood that the particular configurations of the panel means 16 permit the panel means 16 to be compactly arranged together for storing and shipping purposes.

For example, reference is made to FIGURE 4 wherein it can be seen that a plurality of panel means 16 can be readily arranged in the pattern illustrated to form a substantially rectangular assembly 39 which can be readily held together by placing double wall corrugated fibre board or the like against the top, bottom, sides and ends with 2 x 4 battens arranged around the same and held together by steel strapping or the like whereby the panel means 16 can be readily shipped and stored in compact form.

While any suitable means can be utilized for fastening the panel means 16 to the supporting structure 12 previously described, one such means is illustrated in FIG- URES 2 and 3 which respectively illustrate a starter clip 40 and an anchor clip 41.

While the starter clip 40 and anchor clip 41 can be formed of any suitable material, the embodiments thereof illustrated in the drawings are formed by stamping suitable sheets of aluminum-containing metallic material or the like or are formed by extrusion, as desired.

As illustrated in FIGURE 2, each starting clip 40 comprises a substantially flat anchor portion 42 having one or more apertures 43 passing therethrough and integrally interconnected to a substantially flat portion 44 by an angularly disposed wall 45, the flat portion 44 having a downwardly turned end 46 to provide a hook-shaped portion 47.

As illustrated in FIGURE 3, each anchor clip 41 comprises a substantially fiat portion 48 provided with one or more apertures 49 passing therethrough and integrally interconnected to a hook-shaped portion 50 defined by a pair of legs 51 and 52 integrally joined together and angularly disposed relative to each other.

' One method for assembling the panel construction of this invention will now be described.

Starting at the lower left-hand corner of the roof construction or the like, a starting clip 40 is secured to the purlin 12 by a threaded fastening member 53 passing through the aperture 43 thereof and being threadedly disposed in a threaded bore passing through the upper leg 14 of the purlin 12, the fastening member 53 preferably being disposed at an angle relative to the leg 14, as illustrated.

After the starting clip 40 has been secured to the purlin '12 in the above manner, the left-hand panel means 16 is placed on the purlin 12 with the channel portion 19 thereof covering the starter clip 40 but with the hook-shaped end portion 17 thereof being disposed to the left of the starter clip 40.

Thereafter, the left-hand panel means 16 is moved to the right to cause the-portion 25 of the hook-shaped end portion 17 thereof to cam under the turned end 46 of the starter clip 40 until the free end 26 thereof snaps under the turned portion 46 of the starter clip 40.

Preferably, the left-hand panel means 16 is moved to the right relative to the starter clip 40 until the same is centered between the turned portion 46 and wall 45 thereof as illustrated in FIGURE 5.

Because of the natural resiliency of the end portion 17 of the panel means 16, the end portion 17 thereof is placed into compressed relation with the undersurface of the wall 44 of the starter clip 40 when the substantially fiat portion 41 of the left-hand panel means 16 is placed against the upper surface 14 of the purlin 12 as illustrated in FIGURE 5 whereby rattling is reduced to a minimum.

After the left-hand panel means 16 has the end portion 17 thereof secured to the purlin 12 by the starter clip 40, the other end portion 18 thereof is also secured to the purlin 12 by an anchor clip 41.

In particular, the anchor clip 41 has the looped portion 36 of the left-hand panel means 16 received between the legs 51 and 52 thereof as illustrated in FIGURE 5 whereby the anchor clip 41 can be secured to the purlin 12 by a threaded fastening member 53 passing through the aperture 49 in the anchor clip 41 and into a thread bore passing through the upper leg 14 of the purlin 12.

In this manner, the left-hand panel means 16 is firmly secured to the purlin 12 while still permitting longitudinal expansion and contraction thereof relative to the clips 40 and 41. I

Further, the clips 40 and 41permit the panel means 16 to be secured in place without puncturing the panel means 16 which would cause a source of leakage. 7

Further, lateral expansion and contraction of the lefthand panel means 16 can take place as the left-hand end portion 17 thereof can move relative to the starter clip 40 Within the limits of the parts 45 and 46 thereof.

In addition, should a transverse force be provided downwardly on the upper walls 20 and 33 of the channel portions 19 and 32, such as by a person walking on the panel means 16 or placing a ladder thereagainst or the like, the panel means 16 is adapted to expand laterally under such forces to absorb the same because the end portion 17 of the panel means 16 is adapted to move to the left relative to the starter clip 40 until the free end 26 of the end portion 17 of the panel means 16 abuts the turn portion 46 of the starter clip 40 whereby further lateral expansion of the panel means 16 is terminated.

After the left-hand panel means 16 has been secured to the purlin 12 in the above manner, the next adjacent panel means 16, as represented by the right-hand panel means 16 in FIGURE 5, is adapted to be secured in place.

In particular, the right-hand panel means 16 is placed over the left-hand panel means 16 with the end portion 17 thereof disposed to the left of the end portion 18 of the left-hand panel means 16.

Thereafter, the right-hand panel means 16 is moved to the right to permit the portion 25 of the end portion 17 thereof to cam under the hook-shaped end 38 of the end portion 18 of the left-hand panel means 16 until the righthand panel means 16 is in the position illustrated in FIGURE 5.

Subsequently, the end portion 18 of the right-hand panel means 16 is secured to the purlin 12 by an anchor clip 41 in the manner previously described.

Therefore, it can be seen that the right-hand panel means 16 is also adapted to laterally expand if transverse forces are opposed thereon in the manner previously described because the end portion 17 thereof is adapted to move to the left until the free end 26 thereof engages the abutment 38 of the end portion 18 of the left-hand panel means 16.

If desired, before the right-hand panel means 16 is secured to the left-hand panel means 16 in the above manner, a sealing gasket or caulking 54 can be placed under the flat portion 37 of the end portion 18' of the left-hand panel means 16 as illustrated in FIGURE 5 to provide a sealing means between the end portions 17 and 18 of the respective right-hand and left-hand panel means 16 when the same are disposed in the normal positions thereof.

Therefore, it can be seen that each succeeding row of panel means 16 can be joinedto its adjacent row in the above manner whereby the panel means 16 can be completely disposed across the roof structure to form a covering therefor. I

Should it be found that the panel means 16 are not long enough to extend from the top of the roof to the bottom thereof, it will be necessary to overlap at least one or more panel means 16 in each vertical row thereof.

The panel means 16 of this invention readily permits such overlapping thereof without providing leakage or rattling situations.

In particular, reference is made to FIGURES 6 and 7 wherein a panel means 16, which is to have the upper end portion thereof subsequently overlapped by another panel means 16 disposed in aligned relation therewith, has parts of the end portions 17 and 18 thereof removed for a distance of approximately six inches inwardly from the upper free end thereof.

In particular, the end portions 17 and 18 of the overlapped panel means 16 are respectively cut away at points 55 and 56 as illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7.

Thereafter, the panel means 16 to be overlapped is placed on and secured to the purlin 12 in the above manner as illustrated in FIGURE 8.

Subsequently, the overlapping panel means 16 is disposed over the cut away portion of the overlapped panel means 16 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 8 whereby the anchor clip 41 as illustrated in FIGURE 9 is adapted to hold the aligned panel means 16 in place as illustrated, it being preferred that the overlap seam 57 illustrated in FIGURE 8 be disposed over a purlin 12 or the like.

Therefore, it can be seen that this invention provides improved panel constructions for roofing or siding purposes as well as improved parts for such panel construction or the like, the panel means of this invention being adapted to have adjacent rows thereof overlapped and interlocked together and being adapted to be disposed in aligned overlapping relation in each row thereof.

Further, the improved panel constructions of this invention are substantially leak proof because the fastening means do not puncture the panels thereof.

In addition, should water leak past the sealing means 54 into the area between overlapped panels 16, the same will be trapped in the trough defined between the looped portion 36 and flat portion 37 of the overlapped panel 16 and drain out of the cave because of the slope of the roof construction 10.

For example, .water could be stacked up on the roof construction to the height of the upper wall 20 of the overlapping panel 16 and the troughs between the looped portion 36 and flat portion 37 of each overlapped panel 16 will sufficiently drain away such Water that leakspast the sealing means 54 before the same can leak into the house or building.

' Therefore, the roof constructions of this invention can be installed on roofs having slopes as low as /2 inch in every 12 inches, whereas the minimum slope for mostroof construction is 3 inches in every 12 inches.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed as required by the statutes, other forms may be used, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a supporting means, and a pair of interlocked and overlapped panel means attached to each other and to the supporting means, each panel means having opposed ends and a body portion, one end of each panel means having a hook-shaped portion disposed beneath said body portion thereof, the other end of each panel means having an outwardly and upwardly directed looped portion defined by said other end being doubled back upon itself and having a hooked-shaped free end portion disposed over said body portion thereof and spaced from said looped portion by a substantially straight portion extending from said doubled back looped portion, said hook-shaped portion at said one end of one of said panel means overlapping with said hook-shaped portion at the other end of the other of said panel means.

2. In combination, a supporting means, and a pair of interlocked and overlapped panel means attached to each other and to the supporting means, each panel means having opposed ends and a body portion, one end of each panel means having a hook-shaped portion dispose-d beneath said body portion thereof, the other end of each panel means having an outwardly and upwardly directed looped portion defined by said other end being doubled back upon itself and having a hook-shaped free end portion disposed over said body portion thereof and spaced from said looped portion by a substantially straight portion extending from said doubled back looped portion, said hook-shaped portion at said one end of one of said panel means overlapping with said hooked-shaped portion at the other end of the other of said panel means, and fastening means hooked over said looped portions of said panel means andsecured to said supporting means to attach said panel means to said supporting means.

3. In combination, a supporting means, and a pair of interlocked and overlapped panel means attached to each other and to the supporting means, each panel means having opposed ends and a body portion, one end of each panel means having a hook-shaped portion disposed beneath said body portion thereof, the other end of each panel means having an outwardly and upwardly directed looped portion defined by said other end being doubled back upon itself and having a hook-shaped free end portion disposed over said body portion thereof and spaced from said looped portion'by a substantially straight portion extending from said doubled back looped portion, said hook-shaped portion at said one end of one of said panel'means overlapping with said hook-shaped portion at the other end of the other of said panel means, and a fastening means hooked over said hook-shaped portion at said one end of said other panel means and secured to said supporting means to attach said one end of said other panel means to said supporting means.

4. In combination, a supporting means, and a pair of interlocked and overlapped panel means attached to each other and to the supporting means, each panel means having opposed ends and a body portion, one end of each panel means having a hook-shaped portion disposed beneath said body portion thereof, the other end of each panel means having an outwardly and upwardly directed looped portion defined by said other end being doubled back upon itself and having a hook-shaped free end portion dispose-d over said body port-ion thereof and spaced from said looped portion by a substantially straight por-v tion extending from said doubled back looped portion, said hooked-shaped portion at said one end of one of said panel means overlapping with said hook-shaped portion at the other end of the other of said panel means, each panel means having an inverted channel portion in said body portion intermediate said ends thereof.

5. A combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said channel portion of each panel means is defined by an upper wall and a pair of oppositely angled side walls.

6. A combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said upper wall has a longitudinal channel therein.

7. A combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said one end of each panel means is interconnected to one of References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Sagendorf 52520 Nieh aus 52470 Abrahams 52-528 Kane 52S29 Schmidt 52-520 Kennedy 52588 8 7/1962 Facer et a1. 52,521- 7/1962 Clements et a1. 52520 1/1964 Mitchell 52S29 X 6/1964 Waring et a1. 5294 11/1964 Watson 52394 FOREIGN PATENTS 3/ 1959 France. 6/1960 France.

OTHER REFERENCES German printed application No. 1,055,219, 4-1959.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

15 JACOB SHAPIRO, EARL J. WITMER, CHARLES E.

OCONNELL, Assistant Examiners. 

1. IN COMBINATION, A SUPPORTING MEANS, AND A PAIR OF INTERLOCKED AND OVERLAPPED PANEL MEANS ATTACHED TO EACH OTHER AND TO THE SUPPORTING MEANS, EACH PANEL MEANS HAVING OPPOSED ENDS AND A BODY PORTION, ONE END OF EACH PANEL MEANS HAVING A HOOK-SHAPED PORTION DISPOSED BENEATH SAID BODY PORTION THEREOF, THE OTHER END OF EACH PANEL MEANS HAVING AN OUTWARDLY AND UPWARDLY DIRECTED LOOPED PORTION DEFINED BY SAID OTHER END BEING DOUBLED BACK UPON ITSELF AND HAVING A HOOKED-SHAPED FREE END PORTION DISPOSED OVER SAID BODY PORTION THEREOF AND 